Employee retention: 3 key points

As an employer, you put a lot of thought and effort into hiring the best employees. But can you say the same about keeping them?

Employee retention is critical to a healthy, well-functioning business. That’s because employee turnover costs you — in terms of money, productivity and morale. (Calculator: The cost of losing a key employee )

So how do you hang on to the good employees? Sure, there are some things that as employers you can’t control. But you have a larger influence than you may think.

Company culture

While every company has a different culture — and every company has a different definition of culture — there is one element that is consistent in any successful business environment: A feeling of belonging.

As an employer, you can do several things to foster this feeling and build the company’s culture. (Related: Workplace Solutions)

Clearly defined vision: Your vision for the company — where you want to go and what you want to do — should be known, and shared, by everyone on the team. This gives them a sense of purpose.

Strong leadership: It’s been said employees don’t leave companies, they leave managers. Managers assign tasks. Leaders provide guidance, coaching, and when needed, they roll up their sleeves to help get the job done.

Thoughtfulness: Get to know your team personally. You can’t get involved in their private lives, of course, but you should know their likes, dislikes, goals and passions. This knowledge is vital when giving recognition. Thoughtfulness also means caring for their well-being. This can be demonstrated through the tools, programs and benefits you make available to them.

Professional development

When people work hard, they want to know where that effort is taking them. And for many employees, professional growth is just as important as salary. Especially for younger workers. A 2017 study by Comparably, a job market research firm, found that 32 percent of workers aged 18 to 35 ranked career advancement opportunities as a top attraction for staying in a job.[1] And 72 percent of recruiters polled for a job market survey named advancement opportunities as the primary attraction for candidates looking for job.[2]

Many large companies have professionals on staff to help employees plot their career and identify opportunities. But for other companies, formal development programs can be a challenge.

Successful companies often follow a simple 70-20-10 rule when it comes to their employee’s professional development:

Employee training and assimilation into the culture begin the day you make the hire. Take a good look at your onboarding program and identify areas of opportunity and improvement.

Employee compensation

While culture and professional growth are important, don’t overlook the role of fair compensation. With today’s technology, anyone can discover within minutes whether they’re being paid competitively or not.

But competitive pay is only the beginning. Flexible work schedules, work-from-home arrangements and paid time off when necessary are all part of today’s compensation package.

That’s why many companies now provide their employees with a Total Compensation Statement. It shows their base salary, of course. But it also includes the contributions the company makes towards their profit sharing, health insurance, retirement plans, etc. Annual statements like these can go a long way towards showing your employees their true compensation package.

Other forms of compensation, such as bonuses used to pay life insurance premiums for employees’ benefits, employer-paid disability income insurance, or non-qualified deferred compensation programs can help keep your most valuable employees in place. And they can provide the company with potential tax deductions. Oftentimes, offering meaningful benefits to your employees can cost the company less than a salary increase, while still having the same positive effect.

Resources for employers

There are various resources available for employers to delve deeper into the culture, professional development, and compensation initiatives critical for engaging and retaining employees. These range from consultants and human resource services companies to industry groups and multicultural professional associations. (Related:MassMutual's Business Center)

In fact, some employers find sponsoring employee memberships to such organizations is an expedient way to tap into the resources those organizations routinely provide to members.

The Society of Human Resource Management routinely provides resources for employers on retention as well.

Governments at various levels also provide resources for employers looking to retain employees. The Small Business Administration’s resource section has an online course dedicated to the subject.

In the end, happy, satisfied employees are more productive, more innovative and present a better face to your customers. They become the backbone of a stronger company, allowing you to focus on improving your business model instead of constantly looking for new employees to fill seats.

Insurance products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) (Springfield, MA 01111-0001) and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Company and MML Bay State Life Insurance Company (Enfield, CT 06082).

The information provided is not written or intended as specific tax or legal advice. MassMutual, its employees and representatives are not authorized to give tax or legal advice. You are encouraged to seek advice from your own tax or legal counsel. Opinions expressed by those interviewed are their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.